Miami Dolphins Talking Points: D-line depth a concern

1. Depth on the defensive line will be a major concern against New England.

With Jared Odrick injured, Tony McDaniel suspended and Phillip Merling out for the season, the Dolphins are down to five healthy defensive linemen, not counting Robert Rose, who was re-signed Monday but has yet to play his first NFL game.

The starting group of ends Kendall Langford and Randy Starks and nose tackle Paul Soliai played well last week, though defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said Starks set a new personal record for most plays in a game. But after that, the situation gets dicey.

Ryan Baker, who spent most of last year on the practice squad, and Lionel Dotson, who was waived on Sept. 4 only to be re-signed 11 days later, are the only backups with experience. Rose, who was signed Sept. 5, waived Sept. 18 and re-signed this week, is the only other body available.

So far Baker has two tackles, Dotson none, and as previously stated, Rose hasn’t played a snap.

Look for the three starters to play every play. Beyond that, the coaches will have their fingers crossed.

2. Be happy Brandon Marshall isn’t Randy Moss – at least not yet.

Marshall has proven definitively that he’s a high-maintenance diva, much like Moss. But he’s not only eight years younger, he hasn’t shown the immature petulance that Moss demonstrates on a regular basis.

Moss speaks to the media once a week, after games. After the season opener against Cincinnati he used that platform to plead his case for a contract extension. After last week’s game against Buffalo he answered three questions, then walked away from the mike.

Tom Brady has for the most part kept Moss happy during their years together, but Moss’ loose-cannon reputation is one reason the contract that expires this year will be his last with New England.

3. The Dolphins seem to be feeling pretty good about themselves this week.

Yes, they lost Sunday night, but mistakes abounded in that game, from the blocked punt to questionable playcalling in the red zone to missed assignments to Jason Allen’s slip that handed Braylon Edwards a 67-yard touchdown.

Given all that, they still had a chance to tie in the final minute against a Jets team that pretty much steamrolled the Patriots the week before.

New England is an unknown quantity in many areas, and publicly Dolphin players have been cautious. But the Patriots’ defense in particular does not have the playmakers the Jets had, and there’s a sense that at least offensively Miami should have quite a bit of success.